04/27/2025
In twenty years, it won't matter if they were the best on the team, if they were the fastest on the field, or if they had the most impressive stats.
It won't matter if they were recognized for their accomplishments or if they ever received the title of "MVP".
It won't matter if their team was the best in the league, or if other coaches ever pointed them out and said, "Keep an eye on that kid."
It won't matter if they started every game or scored the game-winning run.
Don't get me wrong, I'm my kids' biggest fan.
I LOVE watching them in all of their activities. I'm proud and honored to get to do so. And yes, we're a family who likes to win (and I think that's okay!)
But sometimes, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that so much of this sports-parent season is temporary. We get caught up in the competitiveness of wanting our kid to be the best, when really it's kind of insignificant in the bigger picture of their lives.
In twenty years, the things that WILL matter are the other skills our kids are learning during their time playing youth sports.
The skills they'll only learn if we put our parent egos aside and have fewer conversations about stats and more conversations about things like—
Kindness.
Humility.
Encouragement.
Hard work.
Being coachable.
Dedication.
Being a team player.
Supporting their peers.
Being a good sport even when things don't go their way.
Right now, sports are such a big part of our world and it is soul crushing to see the love of the game slowly dwindle out and spirits get crushed.
From the outside it seems like our kids are working on things like proper technique and fundamentals of the game—and that's part of it, sure.
But really, this is an even bigger chance for them to learn lessons about life.
In my opinion, coaches are instrumental and should teach as much about life and developing character as they do about skills and strategies. They are presented with a huge opportunity to influence young people and shape tomorrow’s leaders. They should not squander that responsibility.
When our kids have hung up their cleats for the very last time, I hope to walk into the next season of life knowing we haven't just raised accomplished athletes, we've raised incredible humans.
©️Casey Huff | Sideline Mom
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